Chapter 13: The Hidden Threat of Moonfall Lake (3)

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  Scene: The Twin Terracrocs Charge

  (The moment the Terracrocs lunge, the ground quakes beneath Garon’s feet.)

  (Rock and debris scatter in all directions as the monstrous beasts charge, their glowing emerald eyes locked onto their prey.)

  > Garon (gritting his teeth): "I can’t outrun them… I have to act—NOW!"

  > Garon (shouting): "Magrion, Stalacera—defensive formation!"

  BOOM!

  (The first Terracroc slams into the ground where Garon was standing a second ago, missing him by an inch.)

  (The force sends a shockwave through the area, uprooting trees and sending ripples across Moonfall Lake.)

  Magrion leaps to the side, flames bursting from its mane to counter the impact. Stalacera holds its ground, slamming a foot down to brace itself against the tremors.

  But the second Terracroc isn’t waiting.

  It twists its massive body and lunges at Garon directly.

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  Scene: A Desperate Defense

  (Garon reacts instantly.)

  > Garon (commanding): "Stalacera—Iron Wall!"

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  (Stalacera's body glows with a dull, metallic sheen as its defense skyrockets.)

  BOOM!

  (The second Terracroc’s massive claws collide with Stalacera, sending sparks flying.)

  (Stalacera skids back, its feet digging deep into the earth—but it holds.)

  > Garon (gritting his teeth): "Even with Stalacera’s defense, that impact nearly broke through… These things are monsters."

  (But there’s no time to hesitate.)

  The first Terracroc has already recovered. Its tail swings like a battering ram, aiming straight for Magrion—

  > Garon (shouting): "Magrion—counter with Blazing Fang!"

  (Magrion's jaws ignite, burning white-hot as it leaps at the incoming tail.)

  CRASH!

  (The impact sends a shockwave of flames and dust into the air.)

  (Magrion snarls, its fangs leaving molten burn marks on the Terracroc’s armor—but the beast barely flinches.)

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  Scene: Realization – A New Strategy

  (Garon's mind races as he watches the battle unfold.)

  Magrion’s fire isn’t enough to deal real damage.

  Stalacera is holding out, but it won’t last forever.

  He’s completely outmatched.

  > Garon (clenching his fists): "Fighting head-on is suicide. But if I can’t overpower them… I have to outthink them."

  (He quickly scans the terrain—looking for anything that can be used to his advantage.)

  Then he sees it.

  Near the edge of the lake, the ground is softer, less stable.

  > Garon (smirking): "That’s it. If I can bait them into that spot… I might have a chance."

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  Scene: The Gamble Begins

  > Garon (shouting): "Magrion, Stalacera—fall back toward the lake!"

  (His summons hesitate for a split second, but follow his command.)

  (The Terracrocs, sensing an opportunity, chase aggressively.)

  > Garon (thinking fast): "Just a little further…"

  (The ground beneath them starts shifting.)

  (The lake's edge is a natural sinkhole—the weight of the massive beasts is too much for it to hold.)

  Just as the Terracrocs realize the danger—it’s too late.

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  Scene: The Trap Springs

  > Garon (roaring): "NOW! Magrion—Inferno Burst!"

  FWOOOSH!

  (Magrion unleashes a massive explosion of flames, superheating the ground beneath the Terracrocs.)

  (The softened terrain collapses under their immense weight, and the beasts plunge into the unstable ground.)

  > Garon (grinning, panting): "Got you."

  (The Terracrocs thrash violently as their bodies sink deeper into the thick, unstable earth.)

  (They’re still alive.)

  For the first time since the battle began—Garon has control.

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  Scene: Victory… for Now?

  (Standing at the edge of the ruined battlefield, Garon exhales deeply.)

  > Garon (thinking): "Even though I didn’t defeat them, this was a win. A straight fight was impossible… but strategy turned the tide."

  (Magrion and Stalacera stand beside him, both panting but unharmed.)

  > Garon (smirking, looking at the struggling Terracrocs): "Next time… I’ll be strong enough to take you down head-on."

  (But then—)

  A deep rumbling shakes the ground once more.

  The sinking earth bubbles—

  Then, in an instant—

  One of the Terracrocs lunges upward, its claws digging deep into the mud.

  It’s climbing out.

  > Garon (eyes widening): "What?!"

  (The second Terracroc follows suit, its powerful limbs effortlessly clawing through the sludge.)

  The trap didn’t work.

  > Garon (gritting his teeth): "They can climb through the mud?!"

  (He isn’t out of danger. This battle—)

  —has only just begun.

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  To Be Continued…